Jesus is the Bible’s central figure and the apparent example of 1 who withstood trials and suffering while continuing to heal and counsel. Jesus even did all of this, knowing he would face a horrific, grisly death for the sake of those self same people. He is the very best example for us to follow regarding coping with real persecution and avoiding getting drawn right into a martyr mentality. He shows us the way to reply to someone who’s stuck in that head space and the way to reply to real martyrdom.
As he hung from the cross in agony, Christ beseeched the Father, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). He was able, despite real martyrdom, to truthfully and graciously forgive those that drove the nails into his body, and who stood watch over the trio of men who were crucified that day. This was no sly try and win favor or sympathy – Jesus’ words would have stunned the individuals who could hear him but would have done nothing to finish his suffering. His words transformed the lifetime of one centurion who declared,
“Truly this was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54
Matthew Henry commented, “Christ upon the cross is gracious like Christ upon the throne. Though he was in the best struggle and agony, he pitied a poor penitent.” Another notable scene takes place at Calvary. Jesus was flanked by two men who were also being crucified. One of the boys cried out, “‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the opposite rebuked him, saying,
“Do you not fear God since you’re under the identical sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we’re receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing mistaken.” – Luke 23:39-41
The two others up there with Christ might need endured greater than a day of agony, attempting to push against the nail of their feet to get a breath. They suffered in the identical way, yet the second man took responsibility for what he had done and used his remaining time to acknowledge who Jesus was and that he was a sinner in need of this very Savior. He glorified God; he selected to sacrifice all he had left – pride and anger – within the name of Jesus in order that he could switch his focus from himself to his sin and ultimately to his Savior. The other prisoner used that point to place responsibility onto God, difficult him to prove he was God by ending their suffering as if this was his purpose in coming. With hindsight, Christians understand that suffering is inherent to all and sundry’s faith walk. Jesus promised his disciples,
“In the world, you should have tribulation.” – John 16:33
He warned them that following him will surely—not possibly—result in suffering. David Powlinson wrote poignantly in regards to the value of suffering, a worth designed to work outwards. We grow in faith while experiencing the nearness of Christ during hardship, but in addition, “while you’ve passed through your fiery trials and located God to be true to what he says, you’ve real help to supply.”
The Quiet Strength of Biblical Suffering
Jesus highlighted the religion of a poor woman who gave all she had on the offering plate. Jesus called his disciples to witness the widow’s actions, although she said nothing about them. She didn’t lament her situation or tell everyone how she had sacrificed what, to her, was a fortune. Jesus spoke for her, honoring the lady’s faithful heart. (Mark 12)
Several Scriptural figures suffered for a very long time, and since they were human, we are able to be certain their endurance sometimes faltered. Perhaps they were resentful or doubtful at times. Yet, in the long term, it’s their fortitude and humility that God selected to spotlight in his Word. Joseph used his situation as a prisoner of the Pharaoh to grow in faith, and he maintained his integrity. The Bible highlights his faithfulness, and we see that, after a few years of tribulation, the reward for his strong faith was of wider profit to Israel and other neighbors of Egypt. He was truly abused, but as he said to Potiphar’s wife when she tried to seduce him,
“How then can I do that great wickedness and sin against God?” – Genesis 39:9
Ruth was widowed as a young woman and will have left Naomi to seek out a person amongst her people. Instead, Ruth stayed along with her mother-in-law Naomi and have become a part of the family tree, resulting in King David and, ultimately, to Jesus. She sacrificed her hopes of happiness to look after Naomi, yet she never complained. Ruth, the thief on the cross, and Joseph all truly suffered. They didn’t suffer from a posh about suffering; they experienced real anguish of assorted kinds. For Joseph, this suffering was prolonged. They weren’t attempting to control an individual or a situation. Their responses to suffering help us recognize whether we’re truly victims of another person’s sin or are suffering under the willful delusion of a posh.
Serving God with Joy Amid Suffering
Each of them did care about something greater than themselves. Ruth cared for Naomi. Joseph didn’t need to sin against God. Jesus sought to obey his Father, and the thief recognized the great thing about Christ within the last moments of his life. An actual Biblical martyr suffers while glorifying God and won’t even realize the self-sacrifice inside his or her selections. An actual martyr doesn’t make excuses and incessantly exceeds what one might consider sufficient effort, an affordable offering of time and energy. What this person gives truly costs the martyr something, but she or he sees all she or he has as belonging to God. He or she is joyful to present it and, ultimately, to serve Jesus by serving others. A real martyr declares that God is nice and that no persecution or personal sacrifice will take away the enjoyment of serving him. He or she might regard an oppressor the way in which Joseph regarded his brothers in the long term:
“It was not you who sent me here, but God.” – Genesis 45:8
We might follow a direction and walk through an open door because we firmly consider this was God’s direction for us. Yet, the experience sometimes puzzles us. Life is just too hard. We suffer and wonder if we’re hearing God properly. Remembering that the Lord’s favor doesn’t preclude suffering is beneficial.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I’m well pleased; hearken to him.” – Matthew 17:5
He was identified as God’s only Son. Yet, Jesus was permitted to experience great suffering, which he walked steadily towards, fully aware while showing compassion towards the sick and hurting. As beloved children of the Father, Christians know what his favor does not mean on this life before we enter into everlasting rest and peace with Christ, where there aren’t any more trials or suffering.
Final Thoughts
A false martyr invites witnesses to take a look at her or him, to supply praise or withhold rebuke. He or she believes that God will give good things to person, which is a belief in karma relatively than in grace. A false martyr forgets that the Lord sees an individual’s heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) He also forgets that nobody is nice except God. (Mark 10:19) God is just not fooled by a shiny exterior. But even the self-righteous sufferer with a warped perspective can change. One Bible commentator remarks that Judah, the brother who devised the plan to sell Joseph and be rid of him (Genesis 37:26-270), “offered to substitute himself as an alternative of Benjamin! He proposed that he be retained in Egypt for the remaining of his life because the governor’s slave if only the governor would let Benjamin go home to his father”. Learning and changing are possible, but only when the so-called “martyr” makes an actual sacrifice, relinquishing pride and ego to permit Christ to bring about growth and maturity to the common-or-garden good thing about others.
Part 1: What Is Martyrdom?
Part 2: Is Your Suffering Genuine or Self-Inflicted?
Part 3: The Powerful Example of Martyrs Who Endured with Faith
Sources:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-truths-about-christian-suffering
https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/genesis-12-50-and-work/joseph-genesis-372-5026/judahs-transformation-to-a-man-of-god-genesis-441-4515
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/luke/23-34.htm
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